Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Hot, Flat and Crowded

Pulitzer prize winning New York Times journalist Thomas Friedman did a powerful interview the other day with Terry Gross on Fresh Air where he talks about our country's energy policy in a global context and how specifically the oil companies are really driving the directions this country takes. He's written a new book called Hot, Flat and Crowded; Why We Need a Green Revolution - and How It Can Renew America. What struck me the most were his descriptions of congress repeatedly voting against legislation that would enable the US to become more cutting edge with respect to renewable energy. This country's premier solar company, First Solar in Toledo Ohio moved it's factory to East Germany after their own senator Voinavich voted against extending the Renewable Energy Tax Credit because the Germans were offering tax credits and markets for renewable energy, thus depriving his constituency of badly needed jobs. The way he describes our government sounds less like a constitutional democracy and more like an oligarchy comprised of the country's biggest businesses and industry lobbyists.

After hearing the words "drill, baby, drill" resound through the Republican Convention, the Blicky staff has decided to devote the next few weeks to working for the Obama campaign. Blicky himself will be convalescing in an undisclosed location during the remainder of the campaign season.

He addresses environmental responsibility on the individual level too. I loved how he phrases it: "Be a work in progress. None of us are perfect."